gimmick
[gim-ik]
- an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.
- a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal: An offer that good must have a gimmick in it somewhere.
- a hidden mechanical device by which a magician works a trick or a gambler controls a game of chance.
- Electronics Informal. a capacitor formed by intertwining two insulated wires.
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- to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, especially in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. (often followed by up): to gimmick up a sports car with chrome and racing stripes.
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- to resort to gimmickry, especially habitually.
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Origin of gimmick
An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; origin uncertain
Synonyms
See more synonyms for gimmick on Thesaurus.com1. stunt, plan, ruse, ploy; angle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gimmicky
Contemporary Examples
The gimmicky stuff might get a laugh or two, but as for setting up successful sexytime/actual relationships?
Today we asked whether Ron Paul deriding Secret Service protection as "welfare" was gimmicky or insightful.
Poll Results: Ron Paul Has No Secret Service Protection Because He Can't WinNoah Kristula-Green
March 21, 2012
In contrast, the anti-Romney commercials being aired by the Gingrich campaign are far more complicated, gimmicky, and petty.
Rage shares that ambition, even though its release is gimmicky.
And he attacked the gimmicky politics of Washington in his opening remarks.
gimmick
- something designed to attract extra attention, interest, or publicity
- any clever device, gadget, or stratagem, esp one used to deceive
- mainly US a device or trick of legerdemain that enables a magician to deceive the audience
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Word Origin
C20: originally US slang, of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gimmicky
gimmick
n.
1926 (in Maine & Grant's "Wise-Crack Dictionary," which defines it as "a device used for making a fair game crooked"), American English, perhaps an alteration of gimcrack, or an anagram of magic.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper